Tag: FBGs

Chirped FBGs and Their Common Applications

Due to high demand, fiber optic sensing continues to evolve. The most well-known technology associated with fiber optic sensors is the fiber Bragg gratings. They have become an instrument for measuring thermal, mechanical and physical parameters, like other technologies.
The FBGs differ by the method of their inscription. For chirped FBGs, one of these methods is used. Chirped Fiber Bragg Gratings and Their Applications

What are the Chirped FBGs?

Chirped FBGs are fiber Bragg gratings with a variable period lengthwise. The most common type is the linear chirped grating, where the period of the grating varies according to a linear law. Such gratings are recorded with the help of special phase masks with a variable period. In the past decades, chirped FBGs have attracted a lot of interest from specialists. This is due to their main characteristics and grating structure.

Due to their reflective index, the chirped FBGs are different from the custom fiber Bragg gratings. The refractive index profile of a grating can be modified to add other features. One such feature is a linear change in the grating period, called chirp. The reflected wavelength changes with the grating period, broadening the reflected spectrum. A chirped grating has the property of adding dispersion. This means that different wavelengths reflected from the grating will experience different delays.

Common FBGs and chirped FBGs have another significant difference. The overall spectrum is a function of the temperature or strain that is registered in each individual section of the grating. Chirped FBG sensors are capable of detecting temperature or strain changes. In this way, they can locate the events, such as hot spots or strain deformations.

Applications of Chirped FBGs

Conventional FBGs are built on the basis of the periodic modulation of the refractive index in the core of the optical fiber. They have been proven to be the top of the line grating-based type of technology.

Structural engineering;
Medical devices;
Oil and gas industry;
Nuclear monitoring, etc.

The fiber Bragg gratings are used as in-fiber mirrors or optical filters with a narrow band optical spectrum. They are commonly applied as sensitive elements in various fiber optic sensing systems for measuring strain, temperature, and other parameters.

Chirped FBGs

Chirped FBGs, as well as traditional fiber Bragg gratings, have found a variety of applications in laser technology and distributed sensing systems. All chirped FBGs have the ability to use the full length of the grating for strain or temperature change monitoring. Chirped FBGs also have their own spectral properties and ability to detect profiles. All of these key features make them in demand, and even preferred, in a number of different areas.

Their main functions are as follows:

Heat detection and localization;
Measurements of strain;
Detection and estimation of the high-pressure events;
Location of structural damage and mechanical cracks;
Velocity measurement.

For example, there are several different applications, including the following:

Transmission line monitoring;
Medical treatments;
Aerospace and automobile industry;
Structural health monitoring;
Biosensing, etc.

Temperature Measurement for Cancer Care

Chirped FBG sensors are real-time temperature measurement devices. One of them is medical thermal ablation. It is based on the hyperthermia principle. This technique is widely applied in pain relief, correction of cardiac arrhythmias, interventional cancer care. Thermal ablation is a recently developed technology for the minimally invasive treatment of tumors. It has proven to be effective.

Based on the correctly selected thermal dose, medical personnel choose the most appropriate treatment method. The higher the temperature, the more human cells get affected. This is especially true when treating cancer, where high temperatures help kill tumors. Thermal ablation is a minimally invasive procedure performed through a small skin incision or needle. This helps avoid damage to healthy tissue.

Chirped FBGs have made a significant contribution to the implementation of real-time distributed monitoring systems. They have found a number of applications including structural health monitoring (SHM) where their ability to measure temperature and strain is useful.

Optromix is a fast-growing vendor of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) product line such as fiber Bragg grating sensors, for example, FBG strain sensors, FBG interrogators and multiplexers, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) systems, Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) systems. The company creates and supplies a broad variety of fiber optic solutions for monitoring worldwide. If you are interested in structural health monitoring systems and want to learn more, please contact us at info@optromix.com

Constructions Where FBG Sensors Are Applied

FBG sensors have proven to be effective and useful during their implementations into different kinds of structures. They have become a necessary part of projects that aim to operate for long periods of time. Constructions Where Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Are Applied

Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Applications

There are various types of FBG sensors based on the parameters they monitor: temperature, strain, displacement, etc. They have a number of advantages that make them highly effective even in the most harsh environment. Compact size, fast response, immunity to electromagnetic interference and other factors usually play a critical role in many situations.

For example, fiber optic sensors are widely used for monitoring of long structures such as tunnels and pipelines. In addition to the ability of the remote control, they provide stable operation over a long period of time. Therefore, they don’t require any additional repairs.

The other advantage of fiber Bragg gratings is multiplexing. A single optical fiber can contain multiple FBGs at the same time. This fact makes it a cost-effective instrument even for large infrastructures. This is especially true when compared to techniques where each sensor is placed separately. Due to their size and weight, fiber optic sensors can be installed in most applications.

FBG Sensors for Strategic Buildings

FBG sensors are widely applied for structural health monitoring of various existing structures including critical facilities such as bridges, strategic buildings, etc. The main problem with this type of construction is related to the appearance of cracks. Cracks can cause many problems in the operation of the construction. They are dangerous because they can be invisible to specialists and unpredictable in terms of growth rate, both of size and speed. Unfortunately, there are a lot of examples where buildings have been ruined because of this, sometimes with tragic consequences.

When it comes to bridges in particular, real-time structural health monitoring is an effective tool for structural safety. Continuous monitoring is required for safety verification especially after extreme events.

Fiber Optic Sensors in Coal Mines

The other application field where fiber optic sensors are used is coal mining infrastructure. Electronic sensors can’t provide an effective structural health monitoring due to the extreme environment in coal mines. On the contrary, in most cases, FBG sensors are chosen for their ability to operate in harsh conditions such as darkness, vibration and for their immunity to electromagnetic interference. Coal mines are in need of a modern monitoring system for the fulfillment of the operating conditions of the tunnels and the transmission of the data to the control center. Structural health monitoring provides specialists with early warning of potential coal mine failures.

Fiber Bragg grating sensors build a safety control structure health monitoring system that accurately observes the processes. It can monitor various parameters but for the coal mines the most common sensors are FBG temperature sensors and FBG pressure sensors. Fiber optic sensors are embedded in the structure itself and function during the lifetime.

FBG sensors have gained increasing interest due to their ability to alert about any tiny or critical changes. The personnel can react to the alarm and prevent the possible disaster. And if it’s already happened, the fiber optic system can help in estimating the damage.

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Fiber Bragg Gratings for Civil and Geotechnical Engineering

Specialists have already found a series of applications where fiber Bragg gratings have shown to be profitable. FBG sensors have become a reliable distributed sensing solution for structural health monitoring. In addition to other applications, such as in the biomedical field, they are also used in civil engineering and geotechnical engineering.

All these areas have one thing in common – the environmental conditions. In such environments, it’s difficult to prevent the degradation processes such as aging and chemical effects. These factors should also be taken into account when implementing the traditional monitoring systems or equipment. In most cases, they have a short service life and require frequent replacement.

Alternatively, fiber optic sensors deliver modern fiber optic solutions that are able to work in extreme environments. FBGs for Civil and Geotechnical Engineering

Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Common Characteristics

Since their first implementation, FBG sensors have been broadly deployed especially for distributed sensing of temperature, strain, and other characteristics that are particularly valuable in geotechnical and civil engineering. Fiber optic sensors have become world renowned for the features they offer. High sensitivity, immunity to electromagnetic interference are the most important parameters that are in demand.

Like traditional sensors, FBG interrogators face similar challenges. For example, they are usually required in extremely accurate equipment. That’s why there’s a high demand for maximum precision and high spectral resolution, down to picometer level. Fiber optic devices are also increasingly being used to deploy in rugged environments.

Fiber Bragg gratings are compact and can provide stable operation and durability in outdoor environments. For example, they are typically exposed to moisture influences, chemical reactions, temperature variations, etc. Distributed sensing systems should meet all the necessary requirements to ensure safety and proper operation of the entire system and to avoid the consequences of the interaction of the sensing element with the environment.

To ensure that, fiber optic systems should have robust materials and construction. In addition to complete, reliable fiber optic systems, fiber optic cables play a crucial role in creating the long-term FBG structural health monitoring systems. All fiber optic sensors should be able to withstand a certain level of thermal and mechanical loads at all times. The only way to provide customers with the best fiber optic solution is through testing of FBG sensors and application methods.

FBG Inscription Methods

Depending on the application and environmental conditions in which the FBGs are to be used, specialists can design FBG sensors for individual customer parameters.

A fiber Bragg grating is a fiber optic microstructure in which the index of refraction within the optical core changes along its length. The producing process of FBGs is usually called “writing”. Nowadays, there are three FBGs inscription methods:

The interferometric method is based on exposing a light sensitive area of the fiber to an interferometric fringe pattern to get the full grating. The pattern is achieved by illuminating an appropriate mask. In this case, the phase mask period defines the FBG period.
Continuous core-scanning method. Here, the FBG writing is provided by the motion of the translational frame where the fiber is fixed. In this technique, the period of the FBG is defined by the modulation frequency and the translation speed of the fiber.
And the last is the direct point-to-point method based on the absorption of a laser pulse. Each grating element is generated by controlling the laser parameters and moving the fiber. In this technique, the FBG period is determined by the fiber translation speed and the laser pulse repetition rate.

Applications of FBG Sensors

Fiber Bragg grating sensors are used in various fields where it is required to monitor structural health. In engineering, they are used to monitor the integrity of the entire structure and observe any deformation of its components. Such monitoring leads to the reduction of the risks and safety requirements. Fiber optic sensors are particularly useful for reinforced concrete structures because they can provide online data on the risk of corrosion.

When we talk about geotechnical and civil engineering, FBGs have also found their place for implementation.

Here are some examples of how fiber optic technology gets used:

Concrete structure monitoring;
Lateral deformation monitoring of embankment soft soil;
Pressure monitoring of tunnel’s rock and soil;
Structural health monitoring of bridges, dams, etc.

Nowadays, FBG sensors are also used to monitor landslides and slope failures and have shown good results. Distributed sensing systems have been applied to examine the landslide stability and deformation of landslides. Nevertheless, installing monitoring systems in complex environments and dealing with uncontrollable boundary conditions require careful consideration of potential issues.

Monitoring engineering and geotechnical structures with distributed sensing systems can improve profitability. Structural health monitoring methods are often preferred due to their ability to:

operate in chemically aggressive environments;
their feasibility in hard-to-reach areas of structures;
use fiber optic solutions which reduce equipment costs by utilizing a single fiber optic cable.

Overall, fiber Bragg gratings find extensive use in geotechnical and civil engineering applications. And, as with any technology, the successful implementation of fiber optic technology requires specialized experience and professionalism in designing and implementing the entire fiber optic system. Most of all, when there is a need for long-term measurements.

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Structural Health Monitoring for the Aircraft Industry

Structural health monitoring has already found many applications in various industries and become a powerful instrument. Its purpose is measurement of the aircraft constructions’ conditions.

The real-time monitoring and review of the structure’s current state provides precise data about the state of the materials and the construction itself. The data received with the help of fiber optic technology can be applied whether by specialists that are responsible for flight safety while plane preparation or by pilots during the flights. Moreover, structural health monitoring is an up-to-date technique considering the increasing number of flying machines including drones. SHM for the Aircraft Industry

Types of Structural Health Monitoring

A correctly customized SHM system tends to increase effective implementation, extend the service life of the equipment and reduce maintenance expenses.

There are two types of structural health monitoring that are applied in the design and operation of aircraft machines over many years: common structural condition monitoring that is responsible for damage determination and examination of the aircraft parts integrity, and load monitoring.

The monitoring of structure conditions and information about loads and damage location is proved to be extremely important, especially for the aerospace and aircraft industries. Usually, load monitoring is provided by measurement of the local deformations, and damage detection that is possible due to the acoustic signals of the distributed sensing systems.

FBG Sensors for Structural Health Monitoring in Aviation

To install structural health monitoring systems specialists carry out a range of calculations and estimations regarding FBGs and their integration into a process. Thanks to the factual flight data and a number of experiments, they have defined the vibration and load characteristics in aviation. This final information has been applied later for field projects.

Fiber Bragg grating sensors are particularly effective for monitoring and measurements of temperatures, pressures and strains. A variety of qualities make FBG sensors ideally suited for applications where the accuracy is important.

In addition to high accuracy, fiber Bragg grating sensors have compact sizes and light weight. These features apply both for cables and instrumentation. Moreover, they can be produced even smaller if the construction and clients require it. Therefore, FBG sensors have often been chosen as an appropriate monitoring instrument for the aviation industry as well as for various other spheres.

One more important advantage that specialists highly appreciate is the absolute explosion safety of the fiber optic sensors. This quality can provide safe engine operation even in conditions of laying cables along fuel tanks and lines.

Another issue that usually concerns aircraft specialists is susceptibility of metals to corrosion. To solve this, there is a need for monitoring of corrosion processes in real time. That’s why the development of specialized fiber optic sensors or corrosion sensor devices that are able to track its dynamics and transfer the data about it to the center plays a crucial role for aircraft construction.

Common Applications of the FBG Sensors

In aviation fiber optic sensors can be applied for measurement of different fundamental parameters that are necessary. Due to these numbers, there can be detected any appearing changes in construction. The standard FBG sensors measure temperature, pressure and strain. In aircraft engines, they can be applied in the hot and cold parts of the engine path. Fiber Bragg grating sensors for pressure and fuel consumption, vibration, and deformation at critical points can be used to evaluate their conditions even indirectly according to the deformations of the elements.

In addition to engine monitoring, FBG sensors are also applied to detect deformations of wings and fuselage parts, icing conditions, loads on the landing gear during takeoff and landing, etc. Structural health monitoring is proved to be essential, considering the wide range of details for airplanes that are made of polymer composites.

Fiber optic sensors may help specialists in detecting the problems during the flight that can be caused by difficult weather conditions. Moreover, they are able to highlight the existing problems during the creation of new aircraft or detect critical points under maneuvering modes. Both these applications are important and help in preventing huge catastrophes or at least will result in reducing their number.

All in all, structural health monitoring has made a great contribution into the aviation industry, just like in other spheres. FBG sensors are proven to be cost-effective and powerful instruments that can improve operation of modern aircraft and drones.

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FBGs for Monitoring in Hydrogen and Radiation Environment

Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are commonly applied in different fiber optic devices, for instance, in fiber lasers, sensors, etc. However, because of the harsh environmental conditions, where FBGs are operating, there are several important factors that should be taken into consideration.

According to the experiments and field results, FBGs’ characteristics can change with time. Negative environmental effects such as radiation and hydrogen effects can not only influence the parameters but also shorten the operation time of the fiber Bragg gratings. It is especially important to understand the radiation effects and other factors on essential dimensions of fiber optic systems during fiber optic technology manufacturing.

Fiber Bragg Gratings for Monitoring in Hydrogen and Radiation Environment

What are the Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs)?

Fiber Bragg grating is an optical fiber that has the refraction index changing along the fiber length. Due to its modulation, FBG acts as a mirror that reflects certain wavelengths and transmits the others.

FBGs have become significant tools of the fiber optic technology from the very first day of their creation. Specialists have drawn much attention to the fiber optic sensing because of its properties, for example, compact sizes, immunity to the electromagnetic interference, etc.

What are the applications of the FBGs?

Specialists have already applied fiber optic solutions in various industrial sectors: industrial and civil constructions, aerospace, etc. Fiber optic sensors are applied for measurement of different physical parameters including temperature, strain, pressure, etc. Nowadays, these abilities are effectively applied in such structures as a structural health monitoring device by fiber Bragg grating sensors.

However, implementing such a powerful instrument in difficult environmental conditions, where most tools can not be used at all, brings some troubles. Scientists have learned to deal with it and have improved fiber Bragg gratings greatly.

So, nowadays FBGs are capable of operating in high radiation conditions, as an example, for nuclear installations and space applications.

Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) for space

The most up-to-date fiber optic sensors can be used not only for spacecraft systems, but also for astronauts’ security and health. In space, the radiation level is very high, taking into consideration the periodic solar flares.

There is a need for an accurate system that is able to operate in radiation environments. Especially, considering the fact that it brings some troubles even to replace some equipment onboard not to tell about when a satellite is put into orbit.

That’s why fiber optic systems are highly suitable for applying in this industry and providing data about temperature, strain and radiation. Moreover, based on the received information, it can foresee possible malfunctions. They are able to operate in extreme conditions and survive during the entire mission.

These factors make all the difference in future space exploration and its colonization.

FBGs for the nuclear industry

Fiber Bragg grating sensors can be also implemented for the development of nuclear applications. It is well-known that the radiation affects the surrounding materials and consequently their features. It is about photonic and electronic components that are the most susceptible to nuclear radiation exposure.

Usually, in the nuclear industry there is no possibility to replace components or make any repairs of the already operating systems. That’s why it is required to monitor the systems’ maintenance in the radiation conditions.

There are two types of radiation that are always taken into consideration: gamma-rays and neutrons. Gamma-rays are radiated by the surrounding structures, and neutrons are relevant to the inner reactor core during its operation. FBGs can be implemented in different sensing operations. For example, monitoring of the temperature in the reactor core and observation of the underground nuclear waste storage facilities, mechanical stress measurements, etc.

FBGs in radiation environments

There are several types of FBGs that can be divided according to their diverse inscription processes, thermal and radiation resistances. In reality, fiber optic sensors can malfunction under the long-term exposure of radiation that leads to the future measurement errors. These malfunctions depend on the structure of distributed fiber optic sensors and the radiation environment.

Scientists have conducted a range of special studies to watch how fiber Bragg gratings are operating in radiation conditions. Space, high energy physics and nuclear facilities are able to apply fiber optic technology to their advantage.

Fiber optic sensors’ sensitivity to the radiation depends on their way of manufacturing and concentration. However, ionization is able to break the bonds. Moreover, there is a possibility of structural changes such as densification that causes further defects. These factors lead to the degradation of optical characteristics that are invisible to the eye.

The main effect applied in this technology is radiation-induced attenuation. It depends on various parameters including:

Harsh environments;
Qualities of the optical fibers like manufacturer process, etc;
Testing environment.

Due to the composition of the optical fibers, they will react in radiation environments differently. That’s why except for the accurate calculations, specialists take tests on the fiber radiation response in conjunction with temperature. They watch fiber optic sensors’ possible reactions before applications in the real-world environment.

Fiber Bragg gratings have many capabilities and can be applied for prevention of disasters and accidents. With a proper coating and method of inscription, FBGs are able to detect any changes and, due to it, define the concentration of the hydrogen, etc. The quick and accurate location of the resulting leakage can prevent crucial damages, unexpected expenses, and danger to human life.

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Multicore Fiber Optic Sensors for 3D Shape Sensing

Multicore fiber optic sensors have found a range of applications in different fields. One of them is 3D shape sensing which has greatly risen in recent decades. Nowadays, 3D shape sensing can be produced for industrial necessities or for the area of research depending on the purposes of applications. Multicore fiber optic sensors have proved to be the most effective instruments for this technology in comparison with other methods. They are used particularly in the cases when there is a need for the most precise measurements and minimal invasive procedures. Fiber Optic Sensors for 3D Shape Sensing

What is 3D Shape Sensing?

Fiber optic 3D shape sensing is a fiber optic technology that applies a fiber optic cable for permanent monitoring of the objects’ 3D shape and position in real-time.

Shape sensing has a capability of finding and detecting all the deformation processes that take place at one or more locations along the fiber optic cable. This fiber optic technology can detect just one kind of deformations with certain types of fiber optic sensors or a range of deformations with the types of several distributed measurements.

Multicore optic fibers themselves have an ability to transmit the data at high speed. They also can be applied as fiber optic sensors, when they have fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in the cores. FBGs are reflective gratings that can filter specific wavelengths. Any changes of the form or position cause the wavelength changes.

As for the 3D shape sensing, there is a special way of fiber Bragg gratings’ inscription into multicore fibers. Firstly, they are spun while stretching. Then fiber Bragg gratings are written along the cores’ length. This technique makes it possible to identify the fiber’s rotation as well as three-dimensional changes.

The Most Common Advantages of the 3D Shape Sensing

Fiber optic sensors are proved to be effective in different technologies. They are especially suitable when there is a need for a complex measurement system. It usually involves the whole system with a number of fiber optic sensors and can provide the measurements of several characteristics simultaneously.

Moreover, FBG sensors have a range of other benefits in comparison with other traditional sensors. So, fiber optic sensors are:

highly sensitive to temperature and strain modifications that lead to the high levels of accuracy;
immune to external electromagnetic interference;
lightweight and small sized;
easy to attach and reliable;
corrosion resistance;
resistant to the harsh environmental conditions such as humidity, high temperatures, etc.

Due to their compact size, fiber optic sensors can be embedded in small devices and objects. Moreover, they can be implemented into distributed sensing systems so the FBG interrogator units can be installed at some other place and send all the data remotely without any wiring.

Fiber Optic Sensors Applications in 3D Shape Sensing

3D shape sensing technology has recommended itself as an effective and even preferable instrument.

This technology has a significant use in the structural health monitoring of different constructions such as buildings, bridges, etc. Besides, fiber optic sensors are produced for aircraft monitoring. Fiber optic solutions are also utilized for damage detection, deformation monitoring and structural fatigue life evaluation. Moreover, intelligent material deformation and intelligent robot posture monitoring are of the applications where fiber optic technology is used.

3D Shape Sensing in Medicine

As for the medicine and biomedical fields, fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) as well as 3D shape sensing have got a special place. This technique has significantly decreased the healing and rehabilitation time and resulted in minimum functional and cosmetic damage to the body. Here are some examples where fiber optic sensors have proved to be an effective option:

FBG sensors have found a wide range of applications connected to cardiac activities and cardiovascular diseases. They are applied in artery pressure detection, intra-aortic balloon pumping, etc.
In surgery, they are applied as surgical instruments that, among all other options, help in visualization. If we are talking about laparoscopic or robotic surgery, the process of visualization has become more simple due to the fiber endoscopes.
Endourology is another field that uses shape sensing technology’s advantages. One of the endourological procedures is cystoscopy that means the treatment of bladder and tumors. Sensing technology makes the device navigation and localization process better. As a result, specialists can carry out operations faster and safer, therefore, conducting the procedures more effectively.
3D shape sensing was able to improve another medical field called colonoscopy. A common colonoscope coupled with the fiber optic technology makes the navigation better and allows preventing most challenges that specialists usually face. Due to the benefits of the fiber optic solutions, including shape reconstruction over the whole device, specialists can get the data about the procedure in real time. As a result, medical procedures become safer and more comfortable.
Epidural anesthesia is getting popular in difficult operations where pain management methods are required. The insertion procedure is conducted with a thin needle that makes it impossible to use most of the sensors due to their size. However, fiber optic sensors based on the distributed sensing principle are able to solve this problem. Specialists have conducted accurate calculations to provide a navigation system that is able to make the correct penetration into the tissue easier. So, it also helps the operators in determination whether the epidural space has been reached.

All in all, 3D shape sensing is a fiber optic technology that has found many applications and become an indispensable tool in medicine, for example, as needles and catheters. Fiber optic sensors, being cost-effective tools, are especially irresistible when there is a requirement in detecting small deformations.

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Fiber Optic Sensors for Underground Coal Mines

Thanks to the fiber optic sensors, a number of fields and industries have found new approaches in safety and production processes. As a part of fiber optic technology, fiber Bragg grating sensors have proved to be an effective technique of monitoring and security insurance. FOS for Underground Coal Mines

Fiber Optic Sensing Applications in Underground Mining

Underground extraction of the minerals continues to be a high-risk industry. This industry has become highly dangerous because of the permanent presence of difficult challenges. Such factors as dynamic changes, hidden defaults and seismic tremors can lead to disastrous consequences.

Due to the advancement of fiber optic technology, there is an opportunity of constant monitoring with the help of fiber optic sensing systems. Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensing has already demonstrated its abilities in other directions like for monitoring of the dams and bridges. For mining, the deployment of FBG sensors has become possible because of the properties they have such as high and long-term sustainability and high resistance to electromagnetic events.

This article presents the most common applications of the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensing in the coal industry.

Fiber Optic Sensors for Structural Safety of the Mines

Distributed sensing can be called a crucial component in the structural health monitoring of the underground mines. Previously, devices for the structural health construction monitoring couldn’t allow watching the data 24/7, and thus, respond quickly in such environmental conditions. However, today’s fiber optic monitoring systems make all this possible.

Due to the fiber Bragg grating sensors’ qualities, like reliability, they are able to constantly track the extractive activities. Moreover, thanks to their high level of sensitivity, there is a possibility to detect the slight modifications in equipment functioning and prevent severe damages at an early stage. So, fiber optic sensors are fit for mine structural monitoring as a proactive damage detection system and as one of the accident prevention strategies.

Therefore, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensing is able to ensure the necessary level of safety in mines. It provides the estimation of the mines’ present environment when FBG sensors collect and transmit the data remotely.

Fiber Optic Sensing for Coal Dressing Chamber Bottom Plate

Apart from safety monitoring of the roof activity, there is an opportunity to monitor changes in the coal dressing chamber bottom plate with the fiber optic monitoring systems. However such monitoring has a range of aspects that should be taken into account.

Firstly, huge equipment occupies most of part of the chamber. During the coal production it produces vibrations that may influence the stability of the mine country rock. This fact should be considered while installing fiber optic technology.
Secondly, monitoring systems should be immune to electronic interference. That is a great benefit of the fiber optic sensing, especially for the chamber, where electromagnetic interference phenomenon is strong.
Thirdly, the system shouldn’t interfere with the operation of the equipment.
Fourthly, due to the constant production around the coal separation chamber it is complicated to get accurate information.

Nowadays, fiber Bragg grating sensors can not always be applied for monitoring of the coal dressing chamber bottom plate. Still, there are some challenges that specialists can face. The lack of space, chances of inaccurate data and other difficulties can make fiber optic sensors’ setup harder or even impossible. As well as wet environments, FBG sensors are often applied in heavy environmental conditions, and specialists got used to developing such projects.

Microseismic Monitoring System as Part of the Fiber Optic Technology

Microseismic monitoring technology is an important instrument designed to prevent any dangerous accidents with the help of seismic assessment and alert about any changes.

Fiber optic sensing has also been successfully applied as a microseismic monitoring system for coal mines. The sensors were suggested to use because of their significant advantages such as large dynamic range, high sensitivity, etc.

Due to the conducted experiments, fiber Bragg grating sensors were installed in the tunnels. During the field projects they have proved to be effective by providing all the data about dynamic activities in the mine accurately. Such level of accuracy is possible due to the fact that the microseismic data are tracked over the full length of the installed fiber optic cable. The interrogation system collects the data, provides the seismic interrogation and transfers the received data. It allows improving the dynamic range and installing more fiber optic sensors. Both these factors increase the positioning accuracy of seismic events.

All in all, monitoring with fiber optic sensors in combination with the automatic processing of data can bring major benefits to identification of any changes, malfunction of mine operation and damage prevention.

Optromix is a fast-growing vendor of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) product line such as fiber Bragg grating sensors, for example, fbg strain sensors, FBG interrogators and multiplexers, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) systems, Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) systems. The company creates and supplies a broad variety of fiber optic solutions for monitoring worldwide. If you are interested in structural health monitoring systems and want to learn more, please contact us at info@optromix.com

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Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors for Weigh-in-Motion strips

Nowadays, road safety has advanced to a new level with the use of fiber Bragg grating sensors. Due to its characteristics, fiber optic technology has become part of the other technologies. For example, FBG sensors are applied in WIM systems (or Weigh-In-Motion systems) for that purpose.

There are several types of WIM systems and one of them is based on fiber Bragg grating sensors. Such systems provide specialists with the most accurate and detailed data around the clock, monitoring traffic flow. They are able to detect the vehicles and in the meantime determine their weight during the regular traffic. The traffic monitoring in real time allows improving the enhancement of traffic management.

Moreover, fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are used in WIM systems for the structural health monitoring, for example, of the bridges or rails. FBG Sensors for Weigh-in-Motion strips

What is Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) Technology?

Weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems are based on technology that allows providing reliable weight measurements of the vehicles. The systems can be applied whether for specific road or rail vehicles such as trucks and trains, or for public applications like be set on the rail or road tracks to monitor the traffic. Weigh-in-motion systems built on fiber Bragg grating sensors measure the traffic flow and supply all the information from it. Thanks to the durability and quality of FBG sensors, the necessary data is provided using one of the most cost-effective methods.

The whole fiber optic system consists of a range of sensors and a roadside unit with all the data devices. According to the application purposes, there is an opportunity to add other fiber optic sensors to this weigh-in-motion system, for instance, temperature sensors. Moreover, to receive more data about the vehicles, it is possible to use cameras for license plate photos.

What Information do the Weigh-in-Motion Systems Provide?

Fiber optic sensors follow two basic physical principles. The first principle that belongs to fiber Bragg gratings is the diffraction changes under the deformations. The second one is the changes of the optical fibers and their characteristics under the influence of the deformation. Therefore, the WIM systems provide all the characteristics that fiber optic technology offers.

The reliable data on weight from fiber optic sensors give an understanding of the loading of heavy goods vehicles and traffic flow. FBG sensors will help in estimation, avoiding any inaccuracy in the future. This, in turn, will allow improving the goods transportation and infrastructure management.

Except for the usual weight parameters that fiber optic systems provide, there are other available options, such as date-time, speed and classes of vehicles. To efficiently operate, the fiber optic systems can be installed on the specific vehicle or placed by the road for the entire traffic flow monitoring.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Fiber Optic Sensors

As any technology based on fiber optic sensors, WIM systems possess all the features that FBG sensors have. Such characteristics as light weight, small size and insensitivity to the electromagnetic fields and weather conditions are really important in monitoring systems. Moreover, WIM systems have an ability to identify the underinflated or double tires in the traffic stream.

Weigh-in-motion systems help in providing very short response time in operations. However, there is a possibility of some inaccuracy of weighting, especially in motion. That’s why specialists are aiming at enhancing the same level of accuracy in motion as in static. And sometimes there is no use in enhancing the fiber Bragg grating sensors’ accuracy level, but increasing the number of sensors or making the automatic calibration processes better. There is a range of external factors that influence fiber optic sensors’ operation such as vehicle suspension, road roughness, etc. Moreover, they can influence the accuracy level in a bad way.

The most commonly agreed disadvantage is relatively high cost for electronic equipment. However, due to the long service life of fiber optic sensors, WIM systems seem to be a cost-effective technique by operating for at least 10 years.

Applications of the Weigh-in-Motion Systems

Fiber optic solutions are applied for many purposes as WIM systems. If it is needed, WIM unit can provide several data parameters at once. Usually, such data is applied in the following spheres:

Vehicle and traffic loading. As it was mentioned before, the information on the traffic flow helps in optimization and planning of the road network in the future. Or the researchers frequently apply it for carrying out the studies. However, there is another implementation that can be used for the already existing infrastructure – for example, for the review of the traffic flow over the road network and its future development with time.
Weight enforcement is aimed at complying with loading regulations. This will lead to the decline of the overloading numbers that have negative implications. These WIM systems based on the FBG principles provide the most effective instrument of weight enforcement.
WIM systems based on the FBGs can also be applied for industrial use like in logistic centers or at ports. They are most commonly needed in the weight check and defining of the trucks’ axle loads. All these measures are aimed at avoiding overloads and their possible future consequences of entering the road network.
WIM systems with fiber optic sensors for the railway industry are as well effective as DAS systems described in previous articles. The most common ways of application in this sphere are the total track loading and dynamic wheel loads. In practical terms, the provided data helps in design and maintenance of the rail tracks.

In the future WIM systems with fiber optic sensors will allow creating one of the base elements of the “Smart City” concept. The FBG sensors are able to provide the system that with different types of sensors will form a complex and reliable technology. Moreover, the improvement of the weigh-in-motion systems based on the fiber Bragg grating sensors will lead to the decrease of overloaded trucks on roads.

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Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors for Railways

Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors have already been applied in various applications and still arouse great production interest. They are commonly used in structural health monitoring for aerospace, civil engineering, oil & gas, etc.

As for the railway industry, fiber optic technology has made a substantial contribution to its development. It is anticipated that within a few years the number of goods that will be transported by railways will be increased, as well as the number of passengers. This, in turn, will lead to the growth of the axle load and trains’ faster speeds operating.

That’s why there is a great need for a full understanding of the rails’ structural and operating conditions as well as for providing safe and reliable operating conditions. So modern innovative technologies are required.

FBG Sensors for Railways

Fiber Optic Solutions for Monitoring Systems in the Railway Industry

In railways, common monitoring systems use strain gauge sensors. The sensors constantly measure resistance caused by the stress transmitted by the rail when the train runs through it. This fiber optic technology is already prominent due to its effectiveness. However, it still has several shortcomings. For example, it is expensive, huge and has difficulties in usage, in comparison with modern FBG sensors. Moreover, the most important disadvantage is that they can be affected by electromagnetic interference. FBG sensors are immune to the external interference such as electromagnetic interference, lightning and many other external disturbances.

Because of this, fiber Bragg grating sensors are getting more and more applications in high-speed railway networks. Applications are train weight estimation, measurement of train speed for real time, wheel imbalance detection, etc. It is clear from experiments that FBG sensors are more appropriate as railway monitoring systems compared to electrical ones.

Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Characteristics

FBG sensors provide many crucial features for unique operational conditions in railways. In comparison with usual electrical sensors, fiber Bragg grating sensors have EMI/RFI immunity, multiplexing capability and can offer interrogation for long distances. In FBGs the data is wavelength-encoded, which makes the signals less susceptible to intensity fluctuations. Moreover, the fiber optic cable can be interrogated from either end, offering redundancy to FBG sensing networks. Plus, FBGs have a self-calibration capability. The strain and temperature measured findings is an absolute parameter. So there is no dependency on the measurement value and losses between the interrogation unit and the FBGs. To fabricate FBG sensors, FBGs are packaged and transformed into different types of transducers. That makes it possible to install them on the rail track fasteners, clips, bogie, train body, chassis, and axle boxes of a train to provide ongoing inspection for health checking.

In addition to that, FBG sensors can be interrogated at very high-speeds.

Providing reliable operational conditions, fiber optic designs can measure a wide range of other parameters such as inclination and acceleration through the modulation of light in reaction to the environment. Therefore, one FBG interrogator can work with a lot of FBG sensors to measure many options at the same time at different locations over the vast territory. The sensing signals can be read at distances more than 100 km away.

These features are especially useful for the railway industry because they allow simplifying the installations a lot and reducing costs.

Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors in Field Projects

Over the past few years, specialists have safely held a number of field trial railway projects involving FBG sensors. For example, in 2007, about fifty FBG-based vibration sensors were installed along the East Rail Link that connects Hong Kong and Mainland China. Then fiber optic solutions were applied in metro lines of Hong Kong, part of the Beijing-Shanghai High-speed Rail Link, and in Delhi Airport Metro Express Line.

In Hong Kong this fiber optic technology was applied on a passenger rail system as a structural health monitoring system. The FBG sensors were attached to the bottom of the carriages. The goal was temperature and strain measurement. The fiber optic system supplied all the necessary data including rail tracks’ and carriages’ deformation. The acquired information helped to assess the rates of the corrosion and bearing wear.

According to the results, due to FBG sensors, costs of maintenance were greatly reduced. Moreover, it helped to avoid or prevent problems at early stages due to the early detection of excessive vibrations. All these works showed that FBG sensors are superior in comparison with conventional sensors in many essential aspects.

Nowadays, fiber optic solutions are regarded as one the most cost-effective technology that helps in monitoring the condition and structural health of the carriages, tracks, and under frame equipment in railway systems. There are still some parameters that need to be improved, like the lack of proprietary and custom specifications. However, in the future major railway operators can apply modern FBG sensors, gaining more field experience.

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Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors for railway monitoring

For the last decade, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors have been attracting more attention from scientists all over the globe thanks to their numeral benefits. Nowadays, they are widely applied in health monitoring, aerospace, civil engineering, oil & gas, smart structures, etc. In this article, we will consider FBG sensors for one of the most used transportation systems, for railways.

FBG sensors in railway transport systems

Railway transport systems have faced a range of difficulties such as longer service availability, providing high safety levels, reduced energy consumption, and optimal operation. Monitoring systems should meet all of these tasks without interruption.

According to many successful pieces of research, fiber optic technology can provide all these aspects at once, it can be applied to ensure railway monitoring. It is important to understand the structural and operating conditions of rails and freight and passenger service cars to provide safe and reliable work.

FBG sensors for railway monitoring

The point is that FBG sensors have many crucial characteristics that perfectly suit railways’ operational conditions. For instance, it is a very long-range interrogation, that is better, especially in comparison with usual electrical sensors. Fiber Bragg Grating sensors are the only sensors that measure all the data and offer it in real-time. FBGs also are low susceptible to fluctuations. Moreover, they can be interrogated from any end.

All these features are especially significant for the railways in providing safe operations. In addition to that, FBGs are universal and can be applied for measuring many other parameters like inclination and acceleration over a large area.

Recent programs with fiber Bragg grating sensors

The most recent project where Fiber Bragg Grating sensors are involved is taken place in India. The main goal is to make the railways there safer with the help of fiber optic technology. Specialists have used sensing technology to reduce travel time and increase the trains’ speed between two states. The railway construction will be conducted by a developed structural health monitoring system.

Thanks to monitoring systems based on fiber optic solutions, rail corporations could easily get real-time data about rail structures’ conditions within 24 hours. Therefore, this feature will fast the warning alerts for possible damage detection. The fiber optic technology can be configured for any type of location and structure, even in vulnerable areas. It is specially referred to as earth slip locations, heavy rainfall areas, etc. However, recently only routine manual inspection is carried out in such cases. Constant monitoring with the FBG sensors will provide real rail safety in such areas.

The government considers that the potential of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors is huge and can be applied in other projects on rail safety. It allows finding the structural defects out as early as possible, not only when an accident occurs. The preventative work gives an opportunity to avoid many troubles and mass casualties that happen.
All in all, thanks to constant real-time monitoring, timely warning alerts, and the possibility of applying in severe environmental circumstances, specialists can use fiber optic technology in many spheres, as well as railways.

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